| Author | Phanlany Khamphoui |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GD-05-05 |
| Subject(s) | Women weavers--Laos
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. GD-05-05 |
| Abstract | International globalization has been impacting many spheres of livelihood of people in
many countries. This phenomenon appeared visible in Lao PDR, particularly in border
areas with Thailand when national governments liberalized cross-border trade through
opening up border in 1994. All kinds of Thai goods and Chinese goods later on invaded in
Lao PDR particularly in border neighboring areas thereafter. This study examines impacts
of cross-border trade in course of market liberalization on Lue ethnic people in relations to
their age-old livelihood and gender identities.
Study reveals tremendous impacts of cross-border trade on the livelihood, and gender roles
and relations among the Lue ethnic group. Before 1994 (e.g., before opening up border)
Lue women used to weave traditional Lue clothes with their own and indigenous
knowledge and techniques merely for their household consumption. In some cases, they
exchanged these clothes with their neighboring mountainous community for other
household goods. It was a women only work. At the same time they had to do all
household activities. They also wore traditional jewelries, clothing and followed other
clothing to uphold their traditional gender and ethnic identities. They used to live in
traditional style of house.
But the opening up border in 1994 and consequent cross-border trade brought changes in
their traditional pattern of livelihood and identities. New business environment provided
them new opportunity to change the scale, design and style of their weaving produces.
They sta1ted to follow Thai and Chinese style in design of their traditional Lue clothes.
Later on, they added embroidery materials with these to enhance profit from weaving
further. They started to produce clothes in scale to market to Thai merchants. During boom
period men also started to work in weaving who would not work earlier. Through this
process women could earn improved income, access to various assets and household
appliances, and accumulated capital for further investment. Beside this, Lue women gained
new experience not only in weaving but also in managerial skills. Some weavers became
entrepreneurs from housewives. They hired other women to work in their weaving
factories. This created class hierarchy among Lue women involved in weaving. They
became more self-confident and hold influential power in their family as well as in the
community.
Although these women were aware to preserve their age-old gender and ethnic identities
and roles they started to adopt Lao ethnic style in their clothing, living houses, jewelries,
and so on in their daily life. They started to wear Thai style skirts, and jewelries. They
renovated their traditional wooden house to concrete house. Environment emerged from
opening-up border in course of market liberalization brought these changes in their
livelihood, and gender roles and identities among the Lue ethnic group in Lao PDR. |
| Year | 2005 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. GD-05-05 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Gender and Development Studies (GD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kusakabe, Kyoko; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Earth, Barbara ;Dimmitt, Nicholas J.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institution Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 |